Prison Guard Major Crowson succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 11 days earlier during an escape attempt at the Huntsville Unit.

He was shot by members of the Bonnie and Clyde Gang as several members of the gang were making a prison escape. Bonnie and Clyde had smuggled weapons inside and were waiting outside with machine guns during the escape.

As Guard Crowson rode up on a horse he was shot and killed. The two prison escapees were executed for the murder approximately one year later.

The Bonnie and Clyde Gang was responsible for the murder of law enforcement officers in four states - Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas - between 1932 and 1934. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow started their criminal career by robbing banks and quickly became notorious murderers wanted for the murders of nine law enforcement officers.

The two criminals were finally shot and killed in Louisiana when they were ambushed by a task force of Texas and Louisiana officers.

Most Recent Reflection

It is indeed sad that the names of Bonnie and Clyde are so well known, but not those of their law enforcement and other victims. Also writing to clarify that Major was Crowson's given name, and not his rank as claimed here. He was a regular prison guard, and the Texas Department of Justice doesn't have the rank of Major.